Vietnam Eco-tour Guide 2023

This post will provide you with a great tool for making your Vietnam Eco-tour is easy and valuable for ecotourists

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Things to Do
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Things Eco to Do in Vietnam

Vietnam’s narrow borders bulge against the ceaseless bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, two modern metropolises tempered by colonial architecture and tree-lined boulevards. Tranquility rests by the crumbling temples, wood-paneled pagodas and verdant valleys of rural Vietnam; divers at Nha Trang plunge the glistening green of the South China Sea to explore a rainbow of coral and neon-clad fish.

WHAT IS ECOTOURISM?

And everywhere there’s the food: whether slurping spicy noodles from Saigon street stalls or savoring French croissants in a Hue patisserie Vietnamese cuisine is full-flavored, fascinating and affordable.

Cities

A compelling clash of commercial clout and colonial grandeur, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) flanks soaring skyscrapers with tree-lined boulevards and a lingering aura of French finesse. Find refuge from the endless flow of mopeds that surge and splutter their way through capital Hanoi in the humble temples and quaint craft shops of its Old Quarter. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ancient Hoi An‘s crumbing facades are illuminated by the soft glow of lantern light.

Countryside

Soggy swathes of rice paddies dominate the verdant Mekong Delta, but the mighty Mekong River also ripples past blossoming fruit orchards and towering sugarcane fields before tumbling into the South China Sea. The arid plains of central Mui Ne reveal cascades of sand dunes that gleam white, pink and gold in the sun. In northern Vietnam, the mountainous region of Sapa is a dizzying weave of lush trails and remote villages occupied by traditional hill tribes.

Coast

The sweeping curl of Nha Trang‘s crescent-shaped beach overlooks a shimmering emerald stretch of the South China Sea. Divers and snorkelers drift over the soft coral that spreads from outlying islands, casually guarded by luminescent shoals of butterfly and angelfish. East of Hanoi, Halong Bay is an ethereal landscape of towering limestone karsts that rise forebodingly from its silvery waters.

Eating and Drinking

Hearty bowls of steaming pho — a fragrant soup served with chicken or beef, a fistful of noodles and crunchy bean sprouts — are served everywhere. Regional variations might add a kick of ginger, zest of lime or shaving of cinnamon. Colonial influence means crusty baguettes and sugar-scented pastries are an unexpected Ho Chi Minh City specialty. Perch on a plastic stool at one of Hanoi‘s roadside stalls and sip bia hoi, freshly brewed, frothy Vietnamese beer.

The best Eco-Destinatinations

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The best Eco-activities

The best Tour Agency

Planning a Trip to Vietnam

Obtaining a prearranged visa and following some important medical guidelines is all that’s required for a safe and exciting trip to Vietnam. But the information here helps you plan your finances, decide whether to go on your own or by tour and learn about what to expect in Vietnamese hotels and restaurants.

Less Is More: Packing & Clothing in the Tropics — Keep it light and loose. You are sure to hit hot, sticky weather on any route in Vietnam. The old traveler rule “Less is more” applies here; bulky luggage is an albatross in Vietnam. Fast and light is best. Loose, long-sleeve shirts and long pants, preferably cotton, are recommended. Shorts are good for swimming but not great for the backcountry, where mosquitoes are ferocious.

What is ecotourism

Also, note that shorts are generally worn by children, not adults (although long shorts are more accepted, especially for young men), and for women only rarely (with sporting events being the exception). Foreign visitors are somewhat exempt from these conventions, but why not go local where we can?

A wide-brimmed hat is an essential protection from the sun, and some even carry an umbrella to be used either as a parasol or as cover from sporadic rains. Sandals are acceptable in most arenas. Affordable laundry service is available everywhere, and thin cotton dries quite quickly — great for a bit of sink-washing instead of carrying around heaps of laundry.

Entry Requirements & Customs

Fast Facts

Staying Healthy

Sustainable Travel & Ecotourism

As a relatively new vacation destination — and a developing country, to boot — Vietnam puts little pressure on the tourism industry to develop sustainable practices. There is virtually no backlash for hotels’ and resorts’ profligate energy usage. Meanwhile, the enthusiasm of international hotel chains and local developers has led to massive development of once-public, pristine beaches in Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, and Danang. The end result may well be ghettos of five-star resorts and golf courses guzzling large quantities of energy.

For individual travelers, cranking up the air-conditioning is a knee-jerk reaction when vacationing in Vietnam. Sure, there are some cool respites in the north and central parts of the country, but for the most part, your vacation is going to be a hot one. But bear in mind that it takes massive amounts of energy to keep hotel rooms and indoor areas cool. To make your Vietnam vacation a little bit greener, take the initiative and turn down the air-conditioning when staying at high-end hotels — these places often keep rooms at a chilly 66°F (19°C).

A few notable outfits are also making conscious efforts to reduce their impact on the surrounding environs. The guys at Vietnam Vespa Adventure use biodiesel made from refined vegetable oil waste to run their multiday tours on vintage Vespa scooters. Over in Phnom Penh, the Quay bills itself as a “carbon-friendly” boutique hotel, buying carbon credits to offset the hotel’s emissions.

Finally, when traveling to far-flung places, be mindful of local customs. Be very cautious about taking photographs among Vietnam’s ethnic hilltribe minorities in the far north and Central Highlands. Ask first, respect an answer of “no” (true anywhere), and avoid photographing sacred shrines of hilltribe people.